ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: In ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, cardiac and vascular involvement may manifest as atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol constitute a significant risk for atherosclerosis. This study investigated the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), LDL/HDL ratio, total oxidant status (TOS; an indicator of oxidative stress) and ischemic modified albumin (IMA; an ischemic marker in AS patients). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty AS patients were diagnosed using the Modified New York Criteria; 54 age- and gender-matched participants were included as controls. CIMT, LDL/HDL ratio, TOS and IMA were measured using the most appropriate methods. RESULTS: IMA was higher in AS patients compared to controls (p < 0.0001). TOS was also increased in AS patients (p = 0.005); as was CIMT (p < 0.0001). The LDL/HDL ratio was also greater in AS patients compared to controls (p = 0.047). A positive correlation was found between CIMT and LDL/HDL ratio among AS patients. CONCLUSION: Elevated CIMT, IMA and TOS levels suggest an increased risk of atherosclerotic heart disease in AS patients. The LDL/HDL ratio was higher in AS patients compared to controls, and there was a correlation between LDL/HDL ratio and CIMT, albeit statistically weak. Therefore, the LDL/HDL ratio is not a reliable marker to predict atherosclerotic heart disease in AS patients.
Subject(s)
Atherosclerosis/blood , Atherosclerosis/epidemiology , Lipoproteins, HDL/blood , Lipoproteins, LDL/blood , Spondylitis, Ankylosing/epidemiology , Adult , Atherosclerosis/diagnosis , Biomarkers/blood , Comorbidity , Female , Humans , Male , Prevalence , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , Serum Albumin , Serum Albumin, Human , Spondylitis, Ankylosing/diagnosis , Turkey/epidemiologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Behcet's disease (BD) is a systemic vasculitis characterized by cardiovascular complications. Early diagnosis of these complications can reduce morbidity and mortality. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) and the logarithmic value of triglyceride to high density lipoprotein ratio (atherogenic index of plasma, AIP) are good markers of atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether AIP is a predictive marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in BD patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 84 BD patients (60 male, 24 female) and 84 healthy control individuals (58 male, 26 female) were included in this study. cIMT measurements were made, and AIP values were calculated. RESULTS: cIMT (p < 0.001) and AIP (p < 0.001) values of the BD patients were higher than those of the control group. A strong independent relationship was found between the AIP value and cIMT (ß = 0.232, p = 0.018). In the subgroup analysis, the cIMT and AIP values of male BD patients were higher than those of female BD patients. CONCLUSION: Increased AIP and cIMT values can be a good marker for subclinical atherosclerosis in BD patients, especially in male BD patients.
Subject(s)
Asymptomatic Diseases/epidemiology , Atherosclerosis/blood , Atherosclerosis/epidemiology , Behcet Syndrome/blood , Behcet Syndrome/epidemiology , Carotid Intima-Media Thickness/statistics & numerical data , Triglycerides/blood , Adult , Atherosclerosis/diagnosis , Behcet Syndrome/diagnosis , Biomarkers/blood , Case-Control Studies , Causality , Comorbidity , Female , Humans , Incidence , Lipoproteins, HDL/blood , Male , Prognosis , Reproducibility of Results , Risk Factors , Sensitivity and Specificity , Severity of Illness Index , Turkey/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI) is rare in adolescents and its pathogenesis is unclear. Growing evidence shows an association between the prothrombotic state and acute STEMI. Prothrombotic genetic factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of STEMI. We present a case of an adolescent with acute STEMI who had multiple prothrombotic gene polymorphisms: in the beta fibrinogen, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and cholesteryl ester transfer protein genes, as well as genotypes in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and human platelet antigen type-1. He had normal coronary arteries with catheterinduced spasm and was treated with a calcium antagonist and aspirin.
